Topic: 'A Small Contribution With Greater Impact'

Scripture: John 6:1–15

Introduction: 'A Boy who met Jesus and helped feed 5000 people.'

Introduction

1. Overall theme for the month… 'God working in, with and through ordinary people – Producing God honouring outcomes' – 'Changing/Impacting people, communities, history and the future perspectives.'
2. God's authority/power – Matthew 28:20.
   • Jesus Christ – 'All authority in heaven and on earth…'
   • Given by God the Father to God the Son – The Lord Jesus.
   • Authority given by Jesus to all who trust and follow Him – ordinary men and women/children.
   • Fishermen, Tax Collectors, Religious leaders, Woman at the well, Woman who was healed from sickness after 12 years, A former adulteress woman, Former demon-possessed man and many more… Us today.
3. Impacted the life of one person or the lives of many people – thousands… millions of people.
   • They bring honour to God and glorify the Lord Jesus.
4. Acts of the Apostles (Book of Acts) – The coming of the Holy Spirit…
   • The acts of God in and through the lives of ordinary men and women. – Acts 4:13.
   • Followers of Jesus – Empowered and Mobilised by the Holy Spirit…
5. A Boy… Five barley loaves of bread and two fish…
   • This contributed to the feeding of five thousand plus people.
   • He gave what he had to Jesus…

A. The Setting – 'The People and the Need' — Vs. 1–7

• Their reason for following Jesus.
  • Miracles that Jesus performed. – Healings, deliverance and many more.
  • Not because they trusted Him but for what Jesus gave them. They were spiritually lost and desperate.
  • Today, many people are doing the same.
• Hungry physically – needing food.
• The disciples had nothing to give them.
• They saw a problem far too big and impossible to solve. – Too many people to feed and too much money needed to feed and help them.
• Jesus… 'You give them something to eat…' — Luke 9:13

B. The Solution… 'The Boy with Food' — Vs. 8–10

• Met Andrew… The boy met Jesus.
• Andrew saw only five loaves and two fish. Vs. 9.
• The boy met Jesus… He realised that the solution to the problem of too many and five thousand plus hungry people is at hand. Vs. 10.
• Jesus — the solution to the need at hand.
• The boy gave Him what he had.
• Jesus did the impossible. – Multiplied what was given to Him and fed five thousand people.
• Are you willing to give what you have to help, feed and bless those who are in need?

C. Jesus – Five Barley Loaves and Two Fish — Vs. 10–11

• The people were invited to relax and get ready to eat. Vs. 10.
• Jesus revealed His authority over an impossible situation.
• Jesus revealed His compassion for people in need.
• He gave thanks for what was provided.
• Distributed to the people – A miracle happened.
• The bread and the fish were multiplied…

Conclusion: The Impact and Outcome — Vs. 12–15

1. The people were well fed. Vs. 12.
   • Their hunger was satisfied by Jesus.
   • The people were blessed by Jesus – A boy played a part by donating his food.
2. The surplus of bread and fish were not wasted. Vs. 12–13.
   • Jesus was a good steward of what was given to Him.
   • Bless other people with the surplus of stuff you have.
3. Reaction to what happened.
   • The people wanted Jesus to be their king and were keen to force Him to it.
4. Ordinary Boy… with five barley loaves and two fish…
   • It played a key role in feeding the five thousand plus hungry people.
   • He gave what he had.
   • God is not asking you to give what you do not have. He is asking us to give what we have.